AIBU for overreacting to comment by John Lewis

[filletofishmeal]

I was on the phone to John Lewis as they failed to deliver an item ( did not put it on their load), and as the person was processing a new delivery date he was making small talk about the reason why I was purchasing a TV. I said it was for the cricket world up, and he asked who I thought I was going to win the tournament. I replied that I am British, so am backing England. He then told me that my name does not sound British, where are my parents from?
I snapped at that point and got a bit shirty with him, as I felt it was unreasonable for him to assume I am not British just because of my surname.

You know that where people can be from other places? What does looking white have to do with your post?

I'm not sure if I should report @ancientgran's post, or leave it as an example.

"You're successful and wealthy? Well I expect being racially abused doesn't affect you at all, then".

I wonder if my old headmaster, Mr Higginbottom, was ever asked by a call centre operator about where his surname was from or its history. I mean, after all, it is unusual and probably has some history. Or would that just have been seen as rude?

The irony of people desperate to see racism in everything telling those people who don't agree to "bore off" is absolutely staggering.

@CapMarvel

I notice one of your posts was deleted. Was it racist?

Not at all, thanks. Just the usual completely overzealous MN moderation because - gasp - I disagreed with someone and they ran off to mummy.

I despise racism and have experienced enty of it. I also have enough of a sensible head to recognise actual racism.

Also: get a life and stop stalking people.

So mumsnet deleted it because they thought it was racist?

It is the first deleted post so quite easy to see.

It wasn't racist at all, but thanks for proving my point.

It said, if I recall. Yes you overreacted. Get a grip.

Oh noes, the horror.

I’m not sure how that proves your point. Just seems clear that mumsnet deleted your post because they thought it was racist.

Well, it wasn't. So.... yeah.

Any time you want to apologise is fine, by the way.

As a general rule white people don't see any harm or racism in things like this because why would they. I do think he was out of order and even if it was clumsy it does get very tedious and annoying.

Why would it be seen as rude? It's an interesting question. It's just bloody chit chat. It's what the clearly dispised English do. Make small talk. Try and be friendly to people. How bloody dare they 🙄

Yep, I’m sure loads of people asked him all the time. He probably enjoyed sharing the history.

I've inherited. None English surname from my grandad. I never met him as he died young so I have no connection to my name or that's side of things.
Every single ti I have to share my name people comment and ask about it.
I take no offence, what's the offence? It's just conversions curiousity.
Obviously just my opinion and experience.

Oh my goodness the typos in my message!
I am sorry, I have no excuse other then sleepy eyes!

Higginbottom is a surname of English origin. It is a corruption of Oakenbottom, a place in Bolton-le-Moors, probably influenced by the dialect word hickin or higgin, the mountain ash. The name may refer to: Edward Higginbottom (born 1946), British choral director.

Learn something new every day.

I say leave it be as an example. She also reckons her husband is black when it suits her.

Calm down gimp.

Aww, my own little calm down stalker.

Holy moly you need to chill out. That's just someone being friendly!!

I don’t think you know what stalking means…